Calcutta football’s fiercest rivalry took a backseat on Sunday as fans united to demand justice for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor, following the authorities’ decision to cancel the season's first derby in the Durand Cup. The 100-year-old rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal clubs was put aside, as thousands of fans from both camps marched together in solidarity.

The rivalry between the two age-old clubs, which often leads to street fights between the camps, was set aside after authorities canceled Sunday's derby match just 24 hours before kickoff.

The cancellation of the match had an opposite effect. Thousands gathered near the Saltlake stadium in a show of solidarity. Bengal, which is divided into camps based on the support for these two clubs, united to ask for justice.

Supporters of the Mohammedan Sporting Club joined the fans of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

The march towards Saltlake Stadium wasn’t marked by the usual war cries of the fans. Instead, the air was thick with slogans demanding justice, as fans held banners and placards, their usual club colours replaced with messages of solidarity. The slogans, “Golar swor kombe na, Ghoti bangal dombe na ” (We won't lower our voice, and we won't back down) and “Bangal Ghoti ek swor, RG Kar, RG Kar, ( We are raising our voices together, shouting RG Kar, RG Kar)” reverberated through the streets, as the city’s football enthusiasts transformed into a united front against a heinous crime.

PTI

Early Sunday morning audio records of phone calls between the cops and the supporters of both camps flooded social media. Cops could be heard asking supporters not to attend the protest. But neither rain nor calls from the police could deter their spirit.

This unity is historic. For decades, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have been fierce adversaries, with their clashes on the pitch often mirrored by conflicts in the stands and street fights.

“I never thought I’d see the day when we’d march side by side with Mohun Bagan supporters,” said Rakesh Das, a die-hard East Bengal fan. “But today isn’t about football. It’s about justice, and we are all on the same team.”

The RG Kar Hospital case, which has gripped the city in outrage, served as the catalyst for this unprecedented show of unity. The brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor within the hospital’s premises, followed by allegations of foul play and a botched investigation, have sparked widespread protests across Calcutta.

While the police arrested a suspect, Sanjoy Roy, the ensuing events—accusations against the hospital’s principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, and his eventual transfer—have only fuelled public anger.

Even the Trinamul is witnessing its leaders speaking out against the alleged mishandling of the case.

In the days leading up to the derby, tensions were high. Fan clubs from both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan announced their intention to bring tifos and banners to the match, not in support of their teams, but in solidarity with the victims.

This led the Calcutta police to take the unprecedented step of cancelling the derby, fearing that the match could become a flashpoint for uncontrollable protests.

Amid the rain-soaked streets of Calcutta, the unified march of football fans from all three clubs pressed on, undeterred by the downpour or the cancellation of the derby. The atmosphere was charged with determination as the fans gathered near Kadapara, their voices rising in unison for justice.

What began as a peaceful demonstration soon grew tense when the police moved in to contain the gathering crowd. The initial calm gave way to mounting tension as officers attempted to disperse the marchers, their presence only heightening the resolve of the protesters.

The situation escalated rapidly into a lathicharge, with several protesters, including women, reportedly injured in the clash. The calls for justice clashed with the heavy-handed response, transforming the peaceful march into a scene of conflict, as the struggle for justice was met with force.

“We came here to protest peacefully, but the police treated us like criminals,” said Arpita Mukherjee, a Mohun Bagan supporter from Krishnanagar who travelled more than 100 kilometres to be a part of the protest.

Kolkata Police detain Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fans amid intense protest clash Screengrab from abp ananda footage

“They may have tried to stop us, but nothing can silence our demand for justice,” she reiterated.

The police detained several protesters, only to release them after the agitating crowd’s persistent demands. The protesters continued their march towards Saltlake Stadium, shouting slogans against the system, holding placards asking for justice, and waving the national flag.

Mohun Bagan captain Subhashish Basu and his family joined the protest, further amplifying the gravity of the issue.

“If they could deploy this many police officers here to control us, why couldn’t they do the same for the derby?” questioned Anirban Ghosh, an East Bengal fan who had joined the march. “Are they scared of what we might say? Or is it easier for them to silence a football match than to address our demands?”

This sentiment echoed among many in the crowd, who saw the cancellation of the derby as a deliberate attempt to stifle their collective voice.

This day will be etched into Calcutta’s history for the unity displayed by rival fans, a rarity. It also indicates how the RG Kar rape & murder case has galvanised the public.